Brazil: Protest against privatization turns violent in Rio de Janeiro

BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro: The Rio de Janeiro city center staged violent protests on February 9, 2017. The state's employees and police officers clashed in front of the Legislative Assembly (Alerj), where state representatives discussed the privatization of Cedae, the state sewage and water supply company. At least four protestors were injured. Bank and store windows were smashed during the confrontation which lasted nearly four hours. Privatizing Cedae is part of a package of austerity measures put forward by the state government after declaring a situation of “financial calamity” last July. - Credit: Newzulu / Humberto Castro